In the formation of bands be it duo, trio or whatever respects music, Sauti Sol stands out as an impeccable band that has stood its grounds till date. A music quattro formed in 2005; a form of band delivering irresistible tunes in the Kenyan musical scene in the genres of music known as Afropop and Kapuka.

This music quattro consists of four musically vibrant masculines namely Bien Almé Barbara, Willis Chimano, Savara Mudigi, and Polycarp Otieno who have influenced positively in the Kenyan musical seen, and serving as beacons to most of Kenya’s successful musical artists. Initially this was an Acapella group before guitarist Polycarp Otieno joined after which it was renamed Sauti Sol.

Formation and Early Times

The band was formed in 2094, initially as an Acapella group, as mentioned earlier by Baraza and Savara who met at the Upper Hill High School and performed in Voices in the light , a music group sited at the school. They later met a student of Strathmole School, guitarist Otieno at the Alliance Français School where yhey decided to form Sauti meaning sound in Swahili and write their first song Mafunzo Ya Dunia . The name Sol, which translates to sun was later added to Sauti which meant “voices in the sun“.

University Education

• Baraza – United States international University to study Journalism
• Africa Nazarene University to study Commerce and Finance
• University of Nairobi – Journalism
• Jomo Kennyattta University of Agriculture and Technology to study Actuarial Science

Discography

Studio Albums

• Mwanzo in 2008
• Sol Filosofia in 2011
• Live and Die In Africa in 2015
• Afrikan Sauce in 2019
• Midnight Train in 2020

Extended Plays

Sauti Sol in 2012

Singles

• Gentleman with P-Unit in 2011
• Sura Yako in 2014
• Nearea ft Amos and Tosh in 2015
• Live and Die in Africa in 2015
• Shake Your Bam Bam in 2015
• Unconditionally Bae in ft Alikiba in 2016
• Kuliko Jana in 2016
• Melanin ft Patoranking in 2017
• Insecure in 2020
• Suzanna in 2021
• Lil Mama in 2022

Musical Labels

• Penya Africa
• Sol Generation
• Universal Music Africa

Musical Influences

This dazzling music quattro have popularized musicians such as Fadhili Williams, Daudi Kabaka including other established artists like Fally Ipupa, Lokua Kanza, and Salif Akeita which they deem as their musical influences.

Awards and Nominations

This amazing group has achieved 26 awards and 41 nominations at various awards schemes such as All Africa Music Awards, BET Awards, Channel O Music Video Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards, Nigeria Entertainment Awards among others.

written by Ruth Ama Onumah